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Twenty Years of the Politics of Electoral Reform for the Chamber of Deputies in the Czech Republic, 1989-2009
Charvát, Jakub ; Bureš, Jan (advisor) ; Klíma, Michal (referee) ; Novák, Miroslav (referee)
The presented thesis mainly focuses on an analysis of twenty years of the politics of electoral reform in Czechoslovakia (1990-1992), on the federal level (the Federal Assembly), and the national level (the Czech National Council), respectively, and later on the politics of electoral reform in the Czech Republic, on the national level (the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic). First, the thesis discusses how and why electoral systems are chosen and changed. Recent analysis of the politics of electoral reform has yielded two main theoretical perspectives regarding the reforms of recent decades. The first one, the power-maximizing perspective, assumes that politicians control the choice of the electoral system and that they are motivated to maximize their power. The other perspective allows for a wider range of actors - in particular, including ordinary citizens as well as politicians - and sees electoral reform as the product of a mix of inherent and contingent factors. Reform can, under this approach, occur in response to specific instances of systemic failure. More recently, Alan Renwick (in 2010 and more precisely in 2011) seeks to develop a more refined understanding of electoral reform processes through two steps. At the outset, there is an acknowledgement that there are...
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Political Aspects of Migration in Czech Republic and in Slovakia
Štefančík, Radoslav ; Klíma, Michal (advisor) ; Horváth, Július (referee) ; Drbohlav, Dušan (referee) ; Romancov, Michael (referee)
The central hypothesis of this dissertation is based on the finding that, like in the countries of Western Europe under the influence of various circumstances, in the Czech Republic, too, there is a shift from the originally proclaimed multicultural concept of integration towards individual civic integration. The objective of the treatise is not only to verify the anticipated trend in the development of the migration policy, but also to seek causes of its modification. The formulation of a hypothesis that would apply equally to the Czech Republic and Slovakia was more complicated. While the formation of migration policies in the area of integration of immigrants into an autochthonous society enjoys a longer tradition in the Czech Republic -- also due to the higher number of immigrants -- in Slovakia it is in its beginnings so far. Even some of the recently adopted outcomes of public policy proclaimed the objective to implement the multicultural dimension vis-a-vis foreigners. The actual policies, however, bore witness to a completely different approach. The core hypothesis of this treatise has thus been complemented by a subhypothesis relating to the conditions of Slovakia: the multicultural dimension of the approach to immigrants in the past only existed at a theoretical level, and only partially. Given the recent adoption of the concept of integration policy, which is not based on the principles of multiculturalism, references to it represent a residual manifestation of the preceding non-systematic treatment of migration and integration in the outcomes of public policy. In real life, several steps hindering the application of this model's principles have been undertaken. Content analysis and diachronic comparative method applied on the documents under review show that there is a change occurring in the Czech Republic in the area of immigration policies. Whereas prior to the financial crisis the government would willingly employ foreigners, the impact of the crisis has led it to a restrictive immigration policy. Demonstrated was also a content shift in the approach to the integration of foreigners. As regards the formation of Slovak migration policies, the process of policy development proved to be more complicated to follow. Public policies in the area of migration and integration of foreigners since 2009 and the stance of the governmental bodies towards them have been largely indifferent. The Czech Republic clearly displays, over the course of the past several years, a shift from the communitarian/multicultural model toward the individual civic integration. The command of the language is considered to be the main vehicle of integration. The Slovak Republic declared multiculturalism only as a remnant of the non-systematic treatment of integration policies, with virtually nothing changing in the real life of immigrants. There had been practically no integration policy in Slovakia up to 2009. Similarly to the outcomes of public policies, the shift in the perspectives on migration away from multiculturalism has occurred in the political programs of Czech political parties as well. The issue of migration in Slovakia has so far not affected election campaigning. Slovak political parties do not have a clear idea of the possibilities of related to the integration of immigrants.
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The European Commission - an expanding institution, or an office in a permanent decline?
Lukášková, Sára ; Klíma, Michal (advisor) ; Jakš, Jaroslav (referee)
Bachelor thesis examines the position of the European Commission within the European Union's institutional system.Commission's position in this bachelor thesis is examined from the perspective of formal and informal functions that it takes. This approach was chosen because it defines the functions performed by the European Commission of its position against other EU institutions. These functions determine the size of its power and influence. The aim of this paper is to describe various features of the European Commission and explain the changes that this institution has undergone the course of European integration. The bachelor thesis seeks to define the current status of the Commission after the ratification process of the Lisbon Treaty.
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The Evolution of Electoral System in Czech Republic and Present Discussion about Possible Changes
Piskoř, Jan ; Klíma, Michal (advisor) ; Mrklas, Ladislav (referee)
Contemporary electoral system of Czech Republic is not optimal. It is really difficult to find favorable and also acceptable system. After the velvet revolution and the political and economic transformation was hard to find operational governments. The winning party is not able to create a majority government. There are just minority governments or governments with support of some opposite M.P.s. Is it the change of electoral system the possible way to solution of problematic situation after elections? The thesis takes into account historical context and present discussion about possible changes of electoral systems.
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The Specific Features of the European Parliament's Role in the Decision-making Process of the European Union
Podskalská, Alena ; Klíma, Michal (advisor) ; Faturová, Marie (referee)
The European Parliament has become increasingly involved in the decision-making process of the European Union over the past years. Enhancing its powers does also mean an increase of its influence on the actual activities of the Union. With regard to the position of national parliaments, the EP still differs and doesn't achieve their importance in some areas. This thesis should describe the development of the European Parliament first and define its actual organisation, structure and position within the other institutions of the European Union. The main goal is to point out the moments, which make the Parliament different from the national parliaments.
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The presidency of the Council of the European Union. Comparison of Czech and French presidency.
Salajková, Linda ; Klíma, Michal (advisor) ; Faturová, Marie (referee)
The presidency of the Council of the European Union is a prestigious institute, who applies administrative, representative and political functions. This thesis should define the Council and its presidency and propose some theoretical hypothesis about the presidency of large and middle-sized countries. The practical comparison use as an example France and Czech republic. These two countries have ensured their presidencies successively recently. The main goal is to point out the measure of influence of political systems, duration of the membership, roles of personalities and above all size of the country.
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Progress of the European Commission from the beginning of the European Communities to nowadays
Žihlavníková, Martina ; Klíma, Michal (advisor) ; Faturová, Marie (referee)
Bachelor thesis examines the institution of the European Commission since its establishment until the present with an indication of its development in the future. It focuses on the changes that the institution has undergone under the influence of two major theoretical approaches - intergovernmental and supranational. Its subject is also changing the position of the Commission, which advocates supranational principle in relation to the Council of Ministers and the Parliament. Bachelor thesis analyzes the weakening role of the European Commission through the crisis of empty chair, and the subsequent improvement through the Single European Act. Other changes that the institution has undergone were caused by individual contracts during the further integration process. In conclusion, the thesis analyzes the adoption of the Lisbon Treaty and its possible weakening or strengthening the role of the Commission. Except of changing Commission's position, there is also captured its contribution in the various stages of integration.
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The impact of the Phenomenon of Enlargement on the Legislative procedure in European Union
Midulová, Katarína ; Klíma, Michal (advisor) ; Faturová, Marie (referee)
The thesis evaluates legislation procedure of the European Union, its dynamics and effectiveness in regard to enlargement. The aim of this thesis is to assess to what extent the decision-making procedure got complicated and whether it is necessary to reform the whole system as a consequence of new members' adhesion. This paper focuses on current decision-making rules as well as the changes which brought this procedure to this status -- the reform activity during 1990s. The purpose of these reforms along with other aims was to prepare the EU institutions for the biggest enlargement they have ever experienced. These changes proved to be what helped to eliminate the consequences which could the new members with diverse priorities bring to the decision-making process. In spite of worries which preceded the Eastern enlargement, the institutions continue to work well, however, their workload has increased and there is a widespread belief that the next enlargement requires more reforms.
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